Lingering problems in both wrists – perhaps helping to explain an 8-for-60 July – forced the outfielder to the disabled list Wednesday. Catcher Ryan Lavarnway arrived at Fenway Park around 4:30 p.m. to take Nava’s roster spot.

The 24-year-old catcher will offer manager Bobby Valentine a right-handed bat off the he bench, and give a couple other Sox time to heal. Mike Aviles didn’t start for a fourth straight game as he battles turf toe, and backup catcher Kelly Shoppach was hurting after fouling two balls off his shin in Tuesday night’s game against Detroit.

“I loved him in spring training, and since, he’s continued to make improvements,” Valentine said of Lavarnway. “Offensively, (PawSox manager) Arnie (Beyeler) says he’s definitely ready and will continue to improve. Defensively, the same.”

Offense has never been the question for Lavarnway, who’s hit .295 with 30 extra-base hits in 83 games at Triple-A this season. Given the opportunity to catch every day, he’s impressed, throwing out more than 30 percent (25 of 79) of attempted base stealers.

Nava is the 23rd Red Sox player to hit the DL this season. The Red Sox have used 45 different players, tied for most in the American League.

SWEENEY STILL SORRY: Wednesday night’s starter Aaron Cook took time out of his pregame preparations to console Ryan Sweeney, likely lost for the rest of the season after busting his pinkie punching a door.

Of course, in clubhouse style, Cook’s consolation was to hang a pair of black boxing gloves in the outfielder’s locker.

Sweeney had surgery Tuesday afternoon to insert a screw in his left pinkie, and sported a bulky cast up his forearm. He said he hasn’t slept in two days due to the guilt of letting his teammates down, and lamented letting frustration get the better of him.

“Season started off well, then got the concussion thing and the foot thing and never got back on track,” he said. “I’ve talked to a lot of guys. Everybody’s thrown their helmet or thrown their bat or something. I guess I just didn’t know how to punch the door.”

AROUND THE CLUBHOUSE: Valentine said David Ortiz, who was eligible to come off the disabled list Wednesday, could walk without pain in his right Achilles for the first time since the injury. While he’s been taking batting practice, pregame rain scuttled plans for outdoor mobility work ... New acquisition Craig Breslow arrived at Fenway roughly 40 minutes before first pitch, and was activated in time for the game. Fellow reliever Clayton Mortensen, who earned Tuesday’s victory, was optioned to Triple-A ... Andrew Bailey saw his first game action since spring training, tossing a scoreless inning in the Gulf Coast League. He fanned two, made a play on defense and, according to Valentine, showed “good aggression out on the mound.” ... Reliever Scott Atchison will visit Dr. James Andrews in Florida on Monday, seeking to determine the best course of action for a torn ligament in his right elbow. The injury, stemming from gradual damage, could mean Tommy John surgery and a year of rehab for the 36-year-old journeyman.” The MRI showed a tear. Think it’s a matter of how severe the tear is and what my options are,” Atchison said. “Obviously, I know a couple of them.”